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This story doesn't leave me with a warm, fuzzy feeling. Erdogan obviously resents having to deal with the US, and if our efforts to help get Turkey into the EU had succeeded, he believes that he could have told us to shove it.

So much for thanks.

>> This story doesn't leave me with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

This interview was obviously not meant for US consumption.

I think it's a great move use the crack in EU public opinion. The public psyche there has obviously been knocked off its equilibrium by recent events. That leaves them open to suggestion. Perfect time to insert new elements of reasoning into their thought patterns.

>> Erdogan obviously resents having to deal with the US

Not so. In his meeting last December with president Bush he underscored the importance of the US as an ally of Turkey, and how it was his wish that this alliance would remain strong and lasting.

The German article I pinged you to, which had been kindly translated by longjack, shows the beginning of a change of attitude in Europe toward Turkey. The next few months have the potential of changing attitudes all over. This will be a great benefit to both the US and Turkey.

I think this is more for public consumption, and it gets a real dig into the EU as well. They are just taking good advantage of the bad situation they're in. It's a good way for them to get their public behind them.

They come out of this looking like shrewd bargainers to their people, make it worthwile for the Turks to endure the massive refugee invasion that will be inevitable, and calms their fears about an independent Kurdistan.

I think this whole bargaining situation has been a shrewed PR move on the part of BOTH governments.